Finished up a Sagittarius constellation around an ankle on Sunday and then I attacked a guy's ribs for a few hours on Tuesday. Both clients sat like champs and came away with some unique stars. Check 'em out...

In case you're wondering, the client came up with the pretty cool idea of having bamboo stars.I wish i got a clearer close up shot, but here's a zoomed in fuzzy one for ya anyways...

I can't argue that getting small, meaningful, one shot tattoos is a great experience and instantly gratifying BUT I can argue that getting large, meaningful, multiple sessions tattoos is a whole other experience. It takes commitment and dedication which increases the level of gratification. Each step along the way gets you closer to the finished product and furthers the anticipation. I can't say the same is true for long ass three part moves like The Hobbit. <-- tangent.

Back to the point. I recently started on a journey with two clients and I'm stoked to get to experience the anticipation, excitement and eventual gratification along with them over the next few weeks.

Check out the first session of each...

Full sleeve tiger and dragon - first session

Half sleeve koi andl lotus - first session

If these two young men stay on track, their sleeves could be healed up by spring, but for sure by summer. Winter's a great time to get tattooed! (hint hint). I'd love to do more work like this. If you readers have something in mind or know folks who do, drop me a line. For those of you who made it to this point, even those who will never get a tattoo, thanks for reading!

We finished up the color on this koi last Saturday and I'm definitely satisfied with how it came out...

As mentioned in the last post, January has given me the chance to take a little breath. However, this breath has also reminded me that I don't like being stagnant. Hence the title of this post... a brief summary of Newton's first law of motion states that

An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force. An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

I tend to lean towards the side of motion, as my wife can attest. I'm a busy body! So what?!Life's short enough as it is and I like to be taking advantage of it by learning and doing all I can. I'm trying to make an effort tostop consumingand START PRODUCING!

There's often more entertaining things in my head than what the media is feeding me,which is usually mindless, nonsensical bovine fecal matter, if not complete and utter mind manipulation.

There is a lot of useless stuff on The Facebook pouring into our brains as well, but sometimes there are little gems. I enjoy virtually keeping in touch and seeing happy friends and family as much as the next guy, of course,but once in a while a nugget of knowledge or actual useful information or opinion comes through.This MaryEllen Tribby person created such a gem that I appreciate and basically agree with (below). Check it out. Analyze it. Analyze yourself.Whether you agree or disagree with the points, at least reflect on how it pertains to you and"set goals and develop life plans" to make whatever changes it may inspire you to make...

I guess the point of this whole spiel is that I'm damn proud of that tattoo I created and how far I've come so far,but I know I need and want to stay in motion to continue learning and growing...not only in tattooing, but in all aspects of life.